To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 75

The word “engagement” slowly hardened Ian’s expression. His face changed noticeably, and the others sitting around the table looked confused.

This wasn’t the first time Ian and Aisha’s engagement had been mentioned. While no clear timeline had ever been set before, their engagement had been verbally promised a long time ago. Since the two had always acted almost like lovers, their families believed they would eventually get engaged. Even Sophia, who disliked Aisha, had thought so.

“Of course, Aisha is still young, but girls often get engaged early. I don’t think the timing is bad”

“You’d better treat my sister well. You know how much she’s cared about you, right? Once you’re engaged, you’d better carry her everywhere! Got it?”

Count Parden stepped in to ease the cold atmosphere. Daniel also jokingly joined in. But Ian still didn’t respond.

No one spoke until the sherbet in front of them melted into red liquid.

“Ahem.”

Eventually, Count Parden cleared his throat, pressuring Ian to answer.

“Later”

Ian finally opened his mouth after a long silence. He muttered in a hesitant voice, then turned his head. Meeting Aisha’s soft blue eyes, he lowered his gaze and said,

“Let’s talk privately later, sir.”

After talking with Count and Countess Parden, Ian met Aisha, who was waiting for him outside. As soon as Aisha saw him, she turned around. Though she didn’t say anything, it was clear she wanted him to follow, so Ian quietly walked behind her.

Aisha led him to the place where, long ago, Ian had cried in her arms. Standing still with her back turned under the lemon tree, she said nothing. Ian spoke in a quiet voice.

“I hope you’re not too upset Aisha.”

At his words, Aisha unknowingly pressed a hand to her chest. She had already guessed from Ian’s expression after speaking with her parents. Their engagement was not happening. Because Ian had rejected it.

Why?

Aisha couldn’t understand Ian’s feelings. She had never thought his heart was different from hers. Why was this happening? Did she do something wrong? Or had his feelings changed?

Just imagining it made her freeze in fear. Ian looked at her stiff back, then slowly reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you. But I’m not ready yet.”

“There’s just too much I have to do right now. That’s all. So I hope you can understand.”

“Aisha.”

Even his gentle voice didn’t take away her disappointment. But what could she do? She knew Ian was truly busy.

“It’s okay. I also thought it was a bit early.”

Aisha turned and smiled warmly at Ian. But when their eyes met, Ian slightly turned his head to avoid her gaze. Aisha held his hand tightly and spoke in a voice that trembled a little.

“Still, when you’re ready, tell me first. Promise?”

“I will.”

Ian nodded without hesitation. But after that, years passed and Ian never brought up the word engagement again.

“Well, well, who do we have here? Ian or should I say, the Marquess now?”

Walking through the palace hallway, Ian was surprised to see a middle-aged man speaking to him.

“Professor Levant?”

The man with neatly combed gray hair was Count Levant Dunal, who had taught politics at the academy. Known for his sharp insight and witty speech, he had become famous even at a young age.

Despite Ian’s reserved nature, he had always liked Professor Levant. The professor had treated him only as a student but gave him adult advice and shared deep knowledge.

“Professor? Marquess, this isn’t the academy anymore. I should call you Count now.”

“You’ll always be Professor to me. Please speak comfortably.”

“Then I will. Ian, how about a little chat? It’s been a while.”

“Of course.”

Out of respect, Ian treated Levant with utmost politeness. The professor wrapped his arm around Ian’s shoulders and led him somewhere.

“Are you sure we can go in here?”

“It’s fine. The owner of this room is currently away on a mission to the Rana Principality.”

On the west side of the palace were offices for high officials. Levant often used a friend’s office without permission.

“Come on in.”

Acting like it was his own room, Levant pointed to a chair. Ian smiled slightly and sat down. The professor opened a drawer, pulled out a cigar, and offered one to Ian, who declined with a shake of his head.

“You’re not the type to complain, but life in the palace isn’t easy, is it?”

Levant asked while blowing smoke. Ian hesitated, then nodded silently.

“The Foreign Affairs people are really territorial. Such a problem.”

Ian, who had graduated at the top of his academy class, was now a mid-level official at the Foreign Affairs Department. Unlike lower officials, his position gave him some freedom to propose policies and get approval. But no matter how good his proposals were, not a single one had been accepted.

Both Ian and Levant knew why. In the current empire, where the old noble faction and the new noble faction were in conflict, gaining influence required choosing a side. But Ian hadn’t picked either.

“You were always too hardworking, even back at the academy. You insisted on being in the top three of every subject.”

Levant suddenly changed the topic. His eyes held pity as he looked at Ian.

“Students like you who push themselves so hard usually have a clear goal. I assume your goal is power?”

Ian remained silent but nodded slightly. Levant was right. Ian wanted to gain recognition quickly and hold real power.

It wasn’t strange to want influence and to rise high in society. But Levant thought Ian’s desire was too intense. It might be because his family had weakened after losing his parents, but still he was too desperate.

“I think I asked this before. Why do you want power so badly? Is there a reason?”

In Ian’s mind, soft brown hair appeared like a fading vision. He thought of someone, but still shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

“Same answer as before. Then let me ask again. Ian, are you really sure you don’t know?”

Ian didn’t answer. Levant sighed and gently spoke again.

“You’re amazing, Ian. Your intelligence, talent, appearance almost perfect. And although your family had a loss, the House of Lloyd is still one of the most powerful noble houses. Within ten years, you’ll have more influence than anyone your age.”

“What I’m saying is, don’t rush. Setting your goals too high and punishing yourself isn’t healthy.”

“I’ll become a member of the Central Council within two years.”

Ian firmly answered, ignoring the professor’s soft advice. The Central Council an elite group that attended the Emperor’s meetings and made the empire’s most important decisions. Only a few nobles ever reached that level, and holding such a position meant being at the peak of power.

Levant put out his cigar and straightened his posture. Then, just like he did in the academy days, he began advising Ian.

“Then there’s no choice. You need to choose a side.”

“In the current situation, no matter how hard you try, you can’t gain real power by staying neutral. If your goal is firm, it’s faster to pick a side.”

By “choose,” Levant meant to pick a political faction. Ian’s blue eyes sharpened.

“Professor, which side do you think I should join?”

“In your situation the Duke of Levantus’s side. They lack young talent from noble families compared to the new faction. With your skills, they’d support you well if you fully join them.”

Levant’s suggestion was the old noble faction. Ian had been leaning that way already, but knowing which side his professor supported, he was surprised.

“You’re telling me to go to the side opposite yours, Professor?”

“It’s a shame, but I won’t lie to my student. And I may belong to the new faction, but I’m just an academy professor. No one really pays attention to me.”

Though he said so, Levant was actually a key figure in the new noble faction, known for his wide network. Ian felt reassured by his teacher’s advice but still hesitated.

“Are you worried about Count Parden? But if you stay under him, you’ll never get out of his shadow. People will always say it was him who helped you.”

“Everyone knows, even if they don’t say it, the balance is shifting. Many nobles from the new faction are marrying into old noble families. And usually, that makes them change sides. History matters to nobles as much as money.”

“Don’t take the hard path. Take the easier one. It might sound strange coming from a teacher, but it’s better to avoid unnecessary hardship. Remember what I said—politics is about reason first, efficiency second.”

Hearing Levant’s words, which seemed to see through all his concerns, Ian made his decision. He stood up and bowed to his professor.

“Thank you for your advice, Professor.”

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